Registered unemployed among immigrants (discontinued in Statistics Norway), Q4 2003

Registered unemployment among first generation immigrants in total increased from 8.6 per cent in November 2002 to 9.6 per cent in November 2003. For the entire population the unemployment rate increased from 3.3 to 3.7 per cent - all figures calculated as a fraction of the labour force. Immigrants from South- and Central-America had the highest growth, 1.7 percentage points. Immigrants from Africa and Northern America and Oceania had an increase of 1.6 percentage points each. Immigrants from Asia had a growth of 1.2 percentage points.

The number of unemployed immigrants increased from 13 135 in November 2002 to 15 239 in November 2003. This group represented 17 per cent of the total 87 439 registered unemployed in November 2003.

17 per cent unemployed among Africans

Immigrants from Africa had the highest unemployment rate, 17.4 per cent, which is almost five times as high as the unemployment rate for the whole population. Immigrants from Asia had a rate of 12.7 per cent while immigrants from South- and Central-America and Eastern Europe and had rates of 10.8 and 10.2 per cent respectively. The lowest unemployment rate was recorded among Nordic immigrants - 4.4 per cent. Immigrants from the other Western European countries had 4.8 per cent. The third group of western immigrants, North America and Oceania, had a higher unemployment rate this quarter than the other westerners - 6.0 per cent. This is, however, a small group of only 243 people.

More men registered unemployed

In the 4th quarter men had an unemployment rate of 4.1 per cent in the entire population while women had a rate of 3.1 per cent. The rates among immigrants were 10.9 and 8.2 per cent respectively. Males, in the whole population as well as among immigrants, had a higher increase in the unemployment rate. From November 2002 to November 2003 the increase was 0.5 and 1.3 percentage points in the respective groups versus 0.2 and 0.8 percentage points among the females.

25 per cent of job program-participants are immigrants

The number of persons covered by ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes) was almost doubled, from 14 383 in November 2002 to 27 162 in November 2003. Among immigrants this number also increased strongly, from 4 414 to 6 924 participants during this period. These 6 924 immigrant-participants accounted for 25 per cent of all persons covered by such schemes and included mainly non-westerners.

In relation to the whole population 16 - 74 years of age, the percentage of participants increased from 0.4 per cent to 0.8 per cent. In relation to the immigrant population the participant rate increased from 1.8 to 2.7 per cent.

Immigrants from Africa and Asia had the highest participant rates in November 2003, 5.2 and 3.7 per cent respectively.

Tables:

• Table 1 Registered unemployed aged 16-74 years, by region of birth and sex . In absolute numbers and per cent of the labour force. By the end of August 2002, November 2002, August 2003 and November 2003
• Table 2 Participants in ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes), by region of birth and sex . In absolute numbers and per cent of persons aged 16-74 years. By the end of August 2002, November 2002, August 2003 and November 2003
• Table 3 Registered unemployed and participants in ordinary labour market schemes (job programmes), by region of birth and time of residence in Norway. In per cent of persons in total aged 16-74 years. By the end of November 2002 and 2003
• Table 4 Registered unemployed by region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years. By the end of November 2002
• Table 5 Registered unemployed by region of birth and county of residence. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years. By the end of November 2003
• Table 6 Registered participants in ordinary labour market schemes, by region of birth and county of residence. By the end of November 2003. Absolute numbers and in per cent of persons in total 16-74 years